Consumers to get more for their dollars

Healthcare reform has a number of provisions, including the requirement that heath insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of a policyholder's premiums on care.

Insurers who fail to comply will be required to issue policyholders a rebate. Such requirements are new to the health insurance industry.

These actions come after many years of increased premiums. In fact, many businesses are already hitting the books trying to figure out how to stretch company dollars in order to provide coverage for their staff.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says insurers will be held to higher standards because of new laws.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans will get better value for their health insurance premium dollar," says Sebelius. "These new rules are an important step to hold insurance companies accountable and increase value for consumers."

By 2014, each state will be required to have a health insurance exchange set up. The plan is designed to allow people to obtain more reasonable rates on individual health insurance policies.